ITF

23 When a Tie is played on a hard court (acrylic type) appropriate equipment /squeezers must be provided at all World Group and Zone Group Ties to remove water from the court. (h) Minimum height to the ceiling There must be a space from the court surface to the ceiling of not less than 9 metres clear (12 metres in the case of World Group Ties) unless otherwise approved by the ITF. This measurement must be taken at the net. Applications to use a court with less than 9 metres clear (or 12 metres in ca se of the World Group) must reach the ITF as soon as possible after the Draw or the completion of the previous round and no later than the date fixed for approval of the completed Questionnaire for the Tie. (i) Balls The balls to be used in all Ties in the competition must conform to the specifications in the Rules of Tennis and must be approved by the ITF. Unless both Captains and the Referee agree to a different ball change policy, the balls must be changed after 7 and 9 games (6 balls). For Zone Groups III and IV it must be after 9 and 11 games (4 balls). In World Group and Zonal Group I, Nations must apply for approval to use ball Types 1 and 3. Nations in Groups II, III and IV may use Type 1 and 2 balls on a slow pace court and Type 2 and 3 on a fast pace court. A Nation that chooses balls for a Tie that are not approved by the ITF must submit to the ITF, no later than November 30 in the year prior to the competition, six dozen balls for testing and approval. Subject to prior approval by the ITF, pressureless balls, high altitude balls and Type 3 balls may be used at high altitude venues, as described in Appendix I of the Rules of Tennis. (j) General conditions for the Tie The Davis Cup Committee may, at any time, at its discretion intervene if, in its opinion, the conditions for or the circumstances surrounding any Tie, including, but without limitation to, the climate, court surface or local organisation do not or are unlikely to ensure the maintenance at all times of the high ideals of the competition. 40. PRACTICE ON COURT (a) When a Tie is to be played outdoors, the Home Nation must ensure that during the 8 days before the Tie is due to start and during the period of the Tie, two practice courts of exactly the same surface as, and in close proximity to, the match court, will be freely available to both teams. (b) When a Tie is to be played under cover, the Home Nation must ensure that during the 4 days before the Tie is due to start and during the period of the Tie, one practice court under cover and of exactly the same surface as, and in close proximity to the match court, will be freely available to both teams. (c) The match court, if outdoors or if under cover with a temporary clay or grass surface, must be available for practice at least four days before the Tie is due to start. The match court, if under cover without a temporary clay or grass surface, must be available for practice at least two days before the Tie is due to start, provided two practice courts under cover and of exactly the same

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